How to Use Your Cellular Phone for Emergencies

Using a cellular phone for emergency calls requires a little more know-how than dialing 911. Keep the following important advice in mind if you ever need to report an emergency with a cellular phone.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cellular Phone Accessories
• Cellular Phone Handsfree Car Kits
• Cellular Phone Headsets
• Cellular Phones

1. Know what constitutes an emergency: Call Cellular 911 when there's a life-threatening medical emergency, when a crime is in progress or when a reckless or suspected intoxicated driver is on the road (be sure to get the license plate number). Also call Cellular 911 when a serious traffic accident or incident is blocking lanes, when you see any type of fire, or when a traffic hazard, disabled vehicle or debris is blocking the roadway.

2. Prepare to tell the dispatcher who answers your call what happened and where and when the accident or life-threatening emergency occurred.

3. Know your cellular telephone number in case you're disconnected, or if the dispatcher needs to call back for additional information about the incident. Unlike with land line 911, dispatchers cannot identify the cellular phone number or the location of the cellular phone, which is why it's so important to give operators your number and provide them with your location and the exact location of the emergency.

Tips & Warnings

• Cellular 911 is an important safety tool, but if you don't know your location, emergency response personnel might be delayed. Every second counts during an emergency.
• Beware that emergency switchboards get overwhelmed when too many cellular phone users call about a single emergency. If it looks like others have called or the situation is under control, use your best judgment.
• Don't call Cellular 911 for phone numbers, directions, theater or movie times, or information on weather or road conditions. Keep in mind that emergency lines can get jammed up.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[911DISPATCHER]

on 1/14/2009 The biggest problem with cell phones dialing 911 is the fact that the call comes in with the location of the nearest cell phone tower. The caller needs to provide information as to their wherabouts.